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1 Mississippi State University-Coastal Research and Extension Center, 2710 Beach Blvd., Ste. 1-E, Biloxi, MS 39531 (601-388-4710) Catfish production in Mississippi, exclusive of the Delta, is concentrated in the Black Belt, mainly in Noxubee, Lowndes and Kemper counties. The local professional agriculturists believe total acreage will exceed 5,000 acres in Noxubee and adjacent counties during 1996, based on current pond construction activity. A survey of 15 catfish farmers was conducted in January and February 1996 in Noxubee County, to obtain both descriptive and economic information concerning catfish farming in the area. The results of the survey revealed that catfish production in the Black Belt occurs generally on highly diversified, or multi-enterprise family farms. The sample farms averaged 581 acres with 58 acres devoted to the catfish enterprise. Farms surveyed had 48 water acres in catfish production consisting of six ponds. Typically, farmers entered the catfish producing business by constructing one pond, learned to grow catfish, then expanded by constructing additional ponds. The average size of ponds was about 8.3 water surface acres. These ponds are 3.8 ft on one end and 7 ft deep on the other. The size, shape, depth and location of the ponds varied from one farm to another, depending on the topography of the land. Due to the high cost of constructing a deep well, catfish farmers primarily relied upon surface run off as the source of water. About half of the farmers employed private consultants to conduct water quality analysis. The farmers reported increasing stocking rates during the last four cropping seasons. All fishfarms visited had electric paddlewheels averaging 1.33 hp per water surface acre. Floating feed was used so feeding activity can be observed. The average FCR was 1.8 to 1.0 for all 15 farms surveyed. The fish are generally harvested once or twice each year by a contract crew. The reported average yield was around 5,183 lb per acre. The total initial fixed investment on a 48-acre catfish farm consisting of six 8-acre ponds in the Black Belt area was about $3,528 per water surface acre. The annual fixed cost was about $539 per water surface acre or 10.36 cents per pound. Annual variable cost was about $2,267 per water surface acre or 44 cents per pound. The total cost of producing catfish including operator and family labor was $2,953 per water surface acre or 56.79 cents per pound. |
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For more information contact: Dr. Benedict (Ben) C. Posadas |
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